Shannon Hughes launched Own Our Streets in April 2025, a woman-owned firm with a vision to cultivate truly safe, accessible and inclusive transportation for every roadway user, regardless of income, ability, or how they move. Her counsel to policymakers, State and local governments and organizations involved in traffic safety aims to protect people from the harm that traffic crash violence inflicts on communities. Through public involvement workshops, advocacy education, walking and bicycling assessments, and direct consulting services to schools, local and State governments, Own Our Streets also helps people understand the power of their voice in demanding a safe transportation system.
Shannon led safety programs at the federal level for 18 years in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 2 office, leading improvements and overseeing federal grant funds that benefited more than 40 million people in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Shannon developed nationally-acclaimed traffic safety training curricula, guided Governor-appointed leaders, mentored States and communities on walkability initiatives, and heavily contributed to the USDOT’s guidance on meaningful public involvement.
Shannon’s federal service started 35 years ago with the National Science Foundation (NSF), administering geoscience grants, writing Congressional testimony, and coordinating federal budget requests and reports for the National Science Board. She also led a team of military and civilian Protocol Officers at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, planning and implementing large-scale conferences and leadership seminars, and hosted highest-level Congressional, Presidential and international dignitaries for the Academy Superintendent.
Today Shannon lives in White Plains, New York with her rescue pup, Boba Fett. She boxes, teaches restorative yoga, and manages a home-based food service and catering company, @shannymeals, that provides folks clean, delicious home-cooked meals.